Eva leaned back in the car seat, her body and mind exhausted from the tumultuous day. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Andrew. “Andrew,” she murmured softly, her voice barely audible.

“Yes, sweetheart?” Andrew’s tone was gentle, though his anger from earlier still simmered beneath the surface.

“Do you believe what Josh said about me?” she asked hesitantly, her voice trembling.

Andrew’s expression hardened, not with doubt but with unwavering conviction. “Which part?” he asked, though he already knew.

“That I was... sleeping around,” she replied, her voice breaking slightly.

Andrew cupped her face, his thumb brushing away the tear that slipped down her cheek. “Absolutely not. I know you better than that, Eva. You’re not that kind of person.”

Relief flooded through Eva, though her heart still ached from the day’s events. Andrew kissed her forehead gently. “Stay here and eat something, okay? I’ll be back shortly.”

Before she could protest, he closed the car door after pulling snacks from the back seat and laying them on her lap. Then he headed back inside the building, his jaw clenched, his mind already focused on finishing what needed to be done.

Inside the dark holding cell, Tristan splashed a bucket of icy water over Josh’s battered form, jolting him awake. Josh groaned as his eyes flickered open, only to meet Andrew’s furious glare. Andrew pulled a chair closer, his movements deliberate, and sat down, lighting a cigarette as his dark eyes bored into Josh.

“Do you know why I’ve kept you alive this long?” Andrew asked coldly, the smoke curling around his face. “Because I don’t want you to die too easily.”

Josh coughed weakly, blood dripping from his cracked lips. “I knew this would happen the moment you brought me here,” he rasped.

Andrew smirked cruelly, blowing a stream of smoke into Josh’s face. “Good. Then you won’t be surprised when I make you pay for every tear my wife shed because of you.”

Andrew extended his hand, and Evander handed him a knife instead of the gun he had initially brought. “I haven’t seen blood on my hands in a long time,” Andrew murmured darkly.

The cell was silent except for Josh’s muffled screams as Andrew drove the blade into his stomach repeatedly. Blood spattered across Andrew’s hands and shirt as Josh gasped for breath, his life ebbing away with each passing second. Finally, Josh slumped forward, lifeless, his torment at an end.

Tristan placed a hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “We’ll clean this up. Go wash yourself before you face Eva.”

Andrew nodded, looking down at his bloodstained hands. “Jessica’s next,” he vowed. “But first, I’ll strip her of everything. Her career, her name, her reputation. She’ll have nothing left.”

“We’ll make sure she pays for every ounce of pain,” Tristan promised.

By the time Andrew returned to the car, Eva had fallen asleep, her head resting against the window. The weight of the day had finally caught up with her. Andrew’s hardened gaze softened as he looked at her peaceful face, the faint streaks of dried tears still visible on her cheeks.

He opened the trunk and retrieved a first aid kit. Sliding into the driver’s seat beside her, he gently took her hands in his, inspecting the raw, reddened skin from the whip she had wielded against Josh. He carefully treated her injuries, applying ointment and wrapping them in soft gauze. As she stirred slightly but didn’t wake, Andrew whispered, “I’ll protect you, always.”

When they arrived at the King mansion, Andrew carried Eva inside, her small frame nestled against his chest. Vanessa was the first to greet them. “Andrew, what happened?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

“She’s just exhausted,” Andrew replied, brushing off her question.

Eva stirred at the sound of voices and opened her eyes. “Put me down, Andrew,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing as she noticed the curious gazes of Vanessa and another older woman.

“Not a chance,” Andrew replied, holding her closer.

“Andrew,” a familiar voice called out, and Andrew turned in shock to see his grandmother, Jennifer King, standing in the foyer.

“Grandma,” he said, his voice betraying his surprise. “When did you arrive?”

Jennifer’s warm smile focused on Eva. “So, this is my beautiful granddaughter.”

“Hello, and thank you for the compliment,” Eva said shyly, her blush deepening. “Andrew, this is embarrassing. Put me down.”

Orion King, Andrew’s grandfather, entered the room with a knowing smile. “Still as stubborn as ever, I see,” he said, earning a cold glare from Andrew.

“My wife is tired. We’re going upstairs,” Andrew announced, turning to carry Eva up the stairs without another word.

Vanessa sighed as she watched her son retreat. “He’s still holding onto that grudge against you, Dad,” she said, addressing Orion.

Orion shrugged. “It’s his way of dealing with things. He’ll come around.”

Leonard King entered the room, his presence as commanding as ever. “Let’s have dinner and discuss things then. Matthew, come join us,” he said, addressing Eva’s father, who had just arrived.

Matthew and Leonard walked off together, leaving Vanessa teary-eyed as she turned to her mother, Jennifer. “Mom, where is Alex? I haven’t seen him in years.”

Jennifer sighed, wiping away Vanessa’s tears. “He misses you, Vanessa. He’s just too stubborn to show it. He’ll come home soon.”

“Stubbornness runs in the family,” Orion chimed in with a wink, earning a small smile from Vanessa. “Now, let’s eat. I’m starving.”

As they settled in for dinner, Irene ran into the room, happily greeting her grandparents. Behind her was Mia, shyly hiding from Orion’s curious gaze.

“And who is this little girl?” Orion asked.

Matthew answered proudly, “She’s my daughter, Mia.”

Jennifer observed Mia thoughtfully, considering potential matches in her mind, but Irene quickly interrupted, spilling the beans about Evander’s proposal.

“Dad, it happened two days ago,” Mia rushed to explain. “Evan and I wanted to tell you together.”

Matthew patted Mia’s head lovingly. “I’m happy for you. I trust your choice.”

Jennifer sighed, realizing her matchmaking plans were foiled, while Orion laughed heartily. “Looks like everything’s falling into place. Now, let’s eat.”

The family gathered around the table, the warmth of shared moments washing over them.